Course Focus: In-depth study of carbohydrates, nucleotides, lipids, proteins, and enzymes, emphasizing their chemical structures, reactivities, and biological functions.

Major Themes: Structure-function relationships in biomolecules, enzyme catalysis, metabolic pathways, and the interrelationship of intermediary metabolism.

Module Breakdown:

• Module I: Introduction to biomolecules and protein structure.

• Module II: Protein function and enzyme catalysis.

• Module III: Carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and DNA-based information technologies.

• Module IV: Lipids, membranes, transport, bioenergetics, and metabolism.

Learning Outcomes:

• Explain biochemical processes using concepts from general and organic chemistry.

• Identify and describe biomolecules and their polymerization products.

• Analyze how molecular forces and thermodynamic principles drive self-assembly and function of macromolecules.

• Interpret biochemical data and relate structure to function in proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

Key Topics by Week:

• Thermodynamics and properties of water.

• Buffer systems and amino acid structure.

• Protein purification, sequencing, structure, stability, and folding.

• Enzyme mechanisms, kinetics, and inhibition.

• Carbohydrate and nucleic acid structure and function.

• Lipids, membranes, and membrane proteins.

• Bioenergetics, thermodynamics, and transport mechanisms.

• Hormones, signal transduction, and metabolic regulation.

Assessment Structure:

• Problem solving (5%), discussion posts (10%), quizzes (10%), four exams (60%), and a cumulative final exam (15%).

Equations and Concepts:

• Thermodynamics: ΔG = ΔH - TΔS (Gibbs free energy equation)

• Buffer Systems: pH = pKa + log ( [A^-][HA] ) (Henderson-Hasselbalch equation)

• Enzyme Kinetics: v = Vmax[S]Km + [S] (Michaelis-Menten equation)

Course Activities:

• Recorded lectures, synchronous discussions, problem-solving sessions, quizzes, and exams.

• Assignments submitted online; emphasis on both individual and group learning.

Support and Resources:

• Access to academic and non-academic support services, including accessibility and integrity policies.